I don't know if this is really a tip or not, but ----- When I finish piecing a top I always have leftover fabric from that project. I've started cutting all of my leftovers into 2 1/2 inch strips. Then when I need to do something to keep my hands busy and my mouth quiet, I pull out my strip collection and make tops like log cabin, rail fence, scrappy single Irish chain (or anything else). I don't pay a whole lot of attention to the color of strip, just the light, medium or dark tone.